"At the National Stationery Show, we've become dependent on the Giftware News E-Weekly to help us reach a core audience of decision-makers. It's helped us keep our business moving forward."

Melissa Gray, GLM, Marketing Manager

"We have enjoyed working with the competent, helpful, and resourceful people at Giftware News. Our online ads are a great way to stay "top of mind" with our Retailers."

Douglas Company

"I know the second the blast goes out, my phone starts ringing and our websites get inundated with registrations."

Michele Diodati, The Plum Island Soap Company

Thank you Giftware News for your innovative new ways of attracting attention to our new products! The Digital Issue is a great asset to shop owners with all the interesting tips on displays & trends; the banners on the eWeekly Newsletter really POP!

Vicky Grant
Creative Director
Manual Woodworkers & Weavers, Inc.

The ad I placed in the May/June issues of Giftware News has been one of the most successful ads ever for Harvest of Barnstable. Several new buyers walked into the Atlanta booth specifically to place orders after seeing our advertised Blooming Paperwhite Baskets and phone orders continue to come in. The ad was paid for on the first day of the show! Thank You GWN!

The Winter GIFT+HOME at Las Vegas Market, January 28-February 1, 2013, recorded a significant surge in buyers over the Winter 2012 market - with buyers from the U.S. increasing by 25% and buyers from abroad increasing by 45% - making it the most successful market to date.

“Our expansion of resources is bringing more gift and home buyers to Las Vegas, and retailers are pleased with both the quality, and the growing quantity, of market resources,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of Gift & Home Décor, International Market Centers. “Our post-market analysis of attendance data indicates that Las Vegas is fast becoming a “super-regional” draw, and with continuation on this trajectory, are becoming the leading market for gift and home décor in the Western U.S.”

As previously reported, the January 2013 market drew buyers from all 50 states. A detailed review of data indicates strong increases in domestic buyer growth, particularly from the Midwest and North East. The top ten states represented at the winter market were: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Jersey, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. In addition to overall geographic gains, there also were increases in several store types and categories, including floral/seasonal, toy stores, antique stores, stationery/paper goods, drug/pharmacy stores, gallery/museum stores, hospital gift shops and specialty stores.

Anecdotal reports indicated high levels of satisfaction not only with resources presented, but also with the market’s physical layout and buyer amenities. “It was the best market I’ve been to actually,” stated Dawn Wilkinson, owner of Six Walls (Mercer Island, WA). “I found some great new vendors, loved the layout of how showrooms were located, felt it was easy to navigate around, and I was able to make good use of my time at the show.”

Accelerated buyer growth was also seen in international traffic, which increased by nearly 50% among gift and home buyers over the previous winter market. As reported last month, visitors traveled from 74 countries from around the globe, representing North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Detailed analysis indicates that traffic from Latin America nearly doubled, with numbers of buyers from Brazil, the Pacific Rim, Canada, Mexico and Africa also dramatically increasing. The top ten countries represented at the winter market were: Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Taiwan and Venezuela.

Ricardo Avila Gomez, an interior designer from Colombia, said, “I found excellent providers/suppliers that were very difficult for me to find at other shows. It was also great to be able to network with other designers from Mexico, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.”

Showroom tenants and temporary exhibitors were pleased with these increases in attendance, which for many led to record sales and additional excitement created by national and international traffic growth. Harlan Kent, CEO of Yankee Candle Company, said “We are really encouraged by what we are seeing. The gift buyers are here and they are different gift buyers than we see at some of our other markets. I’m really excited to be here…We’re trying to push into the west coast, and this is the place to do it.”

GIFT+HOME at Las Vegas Market is a leading gift and home décor marketplace in the western U.S., presenting 800+ gift and home décor resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market features thousands of furniture, gift and home décor lines, allowing for cross-category commerce among the gift, furniture, home décor and accessory industries. The Summer 2013 Las Vegas Market runs July 29-August 2, 2013, at World Market Center Las Vegas. For more information, visit GiftandHomeLV.com.

Twenty-eight furniture and home accent producers will be showing in Pavilions on Main 3 Temporaries in the IHFC's Main wing at the Spring 2013 High Point Market, running April 20-25. In addition, 22 exhibitors have expanded and renewed in the Pavilions.

Woodard Outdoor Furniture is set to open their second showroom at the High Point Market in the Pavilions supplementing their original space on the second floor of Market Square. For over 140 years, Woodard craftsmen have designed and manufactured products loyal to the timeless art of quality furniture design and construction. Woodard furniture is available in a large selection of finishes and fabrics to fit any style or setting. Woodard also offers a wide variety of umbrellas and other accessory pieces that are sure to enhance any outdoor living space.

The Pavilions on Main 3 at the IHFC is sold out for the April market, with a total of 50 exhibitors set to show furniture, rugs, wall art and other decorative accessories, according to market officials.

JAIPUR Moves, Expands Into a New Space – SHOWPLACE 3300

JAIPUR has expanded into a new space, remodeled and bigger - JAIPUR is making a statement with the new showroom at Showplace 3300. The company is taking their showroom experience to the next level with more products on display than ever before. Expanding not only the showroom but their product categories as well - JAIPUR is quadrupling the size of their pillow offerings, bringing in eight times the amount of poufs, and launching over 1000 new designs.

“We have had big product growth plans in the works for a while, this was the perfect opportunity to expand both our offerings and our space in one of our biggest markets” says Asha Chaudhary, President & CEO. Not holding back, JAIPUR’s new showroom is going to be the start of what to expect as JAIPUR continues their accelerated growth in 2013.

Mud Pie Encouraging Healthy First Steps for All Babies

The March of Dimes and Mud Pie announced a partnership that will help raise funds for March of Dimes 2013 imbornto campaign through the sale of Mud Pie Baby Socks. The collaboration is a perfect fit for the gift manufacturer who is known for their signature infant socks. Through this alliance, Mud Pie will contribute a dime for each pair they sell to their retail partners or directly to consumers.

“We know our socks make people smile-- parents and grandparents tell us all the time,” said Marcia Miller, Mud Pie’s founder and CEO. “When one mother reached out to tell us that our socks were a source of joy when her baby was confined to intensive care, we were inspired to find a meaningful way to ensure healthy first steps for all babies.”

Mud Pie has committed a minimum donation of $100,000 to the March of Dimes imbornto campaign, a national March of Dimes cause marketing program centered around the inspiring message that ‘every baby is born to do something great’ and designed to generate awareness and raise funds to continue the organization’s research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.

“The March of Dimes has been hard at work improving the lives of babies and families everywhere for 75 years,” says Chad Royal-Pascoe, Vice President, National Partnerships and Cause Marketing. “We are excited to partner with Mud Pie on the imbornto initiative to help all
babies start out on the right foot.”

The Homer Laughlin China Company Names Fourth-Generation President, Again

Family companies steeped in history like The Homer Laughlin China Company (HLC), 142 years old and the largest remaining domestic tableware manufacturer in the United States, tend to write their stories based on generations of leadership, continuing progress, and increasing excellence. The chapters represent milestones, not just change. For the first time in HLC’s history, the mantle of leadership is being handed down, not to a successive generation, but from brother to sister. Homer Laughlin is pleased to announce Elizabeth McIlvain as its new president, effective March 18, 2013. As a fourth-generation owner of the company, Elizabeth takes over the position from her brother, Joseph Wells III, who is stepping down after 50 years of service.

Wells III will take his esteemed father’s place as chairman of the board.

In her new position, McIlvain will assist the board in overseeing all operations of the company’s two principal divisions - retail and commercial dinnerware - both operating out of the 37-acre manufacturing plant located in Newell, West Virginia. Her main focus is a continued emphasis on increasing sales companywide.

“Liz has been a sounding board for many in the company seeking a level-headed decision maker,” said Wells of his sister, who currently sits on the board as executive vice president. “She has been at my side for the past several years helping me manage day-to-day operations. The way I see it, this move now gives title to what she does every day at HLC. And I’m sure our father, Joe Wells Jr., would have been proud to see the company leadership transitioning this way.”

When asked about her plans, McIlvain said, “Business as usual, but kicked into high gear.” She explained, “We are growing. In the last decade, we have expanded manufacturing, introduced new brands, and assimilated new companies. All the while, our mission has remained true—leadership and innovation in the manufacture of quality lead-free china for the retail and commercial markets. For a company in its second century, growth and commitment to leadership means we run to the next opportunity. That’s what I will encourage. HLC will continue to write the history of the dinnerware category.”

New Washable Doll Collection from Madame Alexander

Madame Alexander brings the Wizard of Oz alive for their youngest fans with an exciting new assortment of Washable cloth play dolls. Each is uniquely dressed in child-safe outfits based on the movie¹s beloved characters including Dorothy, Glinda the Good Witch, Wicked Witch of the West, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, Scarecrowand Winged Monkey.

Each doll from The Wizard of Oz Washable collection is a soft 12-inch cloth doll that is safe for all ages and 100% washable and dryable on gentle cycles. Each doll retails for $34.95 and is available for preorder on madamealexander.com.

United States Urged to “Think Asia, Think Hong Kong”

The largest Hong Kong promotion ever to take place in the United States will be held this summer to showcase Hong Kong’s advantages for American companies looking to tap new business opportunities in Asia, particularly on the Chinese mainland.

“Think Asia, Think Hong Kong” will feature symposiums in New York and Los Angeles, June 11 and 14 respectively. Speakers will include CY Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and more than 60 prominent senior executives from global companies. The event is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), with support from 14 Hong Kong partners and close to 100 US organisations.

“As the global economic balance continues to shift to Asia, Hong Kong is the ideal business platform from which to access the myriad regional opportunities now available in the growing ASEAN area and the Chinese mainland,” said HKTDC Chairman Jack So. “Our low taxes, free economy, rule of law, English-speaking environment and world-class business services make us the preferred partner for any overseas businesses wishing to tap these growing possibilities.”

There are approximately 1,400 US firms in Hong Kong, concentrated in trading, banking and finance, and transport. As of October 2012, there were 869 US companies with their regional headquarters or regional offices in Hong Kong, more than any other country.

In response to the U.S.'s National Export Initiative, the HKTDC launched the Pacific Bridge Initiative (PBI) in November 2010, to encourage American companies to work with Hong Kong in exporting to the Asian region. Since PBI’s implementation, the number of successful instances of US companies exporting to Hong Kong increased by 54.8 percent, to 353, as of November 2012.

U.S. exports to Hong Kong from 2010 to 2012 grew by 41 per cent, to more than US$37 billion. Over the past decade (2003-2012), US exports to Hong Kong have surged 177 per cent.
The

Think Asia, Think Hong Kong sessions will focus on why U.S. companies should use Hong Kong’s business advantages. They will also look at how Chinese enterprises have been expanding their international presence through Hong Kong, and what mainland companies are looking for in global partners.

In addition, some 10 industry sessions will take place. These will provide practical tips on selling consumer brands to mainland China and throughout Asia, explore technology partnership opportunities, discuss finance-related topics, spotlight the latest trends in the mainland’s outbound investment and look at Hong Kong-mainland collaborations in film and digital entertainment.

More than 100 Hong Kong government officials and business leaders from a wide spectrum of sectors, including lifestyle products, fashion, food and wine, technology, finance, accounting, legal, logistics and marketing, will take part in Think Asia, Think Hong Kong. Business-matching sessions will be organized with U.S. companies onsite. The TATHK campaign is expected to attract more than 2,000 American corporate leaders, government representatives, heads of SMEs and opinion leaders with a special interest in Asia.

For Spring 2013, Treasure Garden, award-winning manufacturer of outdoor shade and accessory products, will exhibit at the bi-annual High Point Market April 20-25. Treasure Garden products will be on display at Showplace 2600.

“Treasure Garden’s decision to add High Point Market to our trade show schedule was motivated by the growth we are seeing in traditional furniture retailers adding outdoor products to their stores,” Jeff B. Dorough, vice president, sales and marketing, Treasure Garden, Baldwin Park, CA. “As the High Point Market is aware of this trend and promoting the category to their large number of national and international buyers, we see it as a beneficial platform for our products.”

With the decision to secure space within the multi-level Showplace building, Treasure Garden also will be able to capitalize upon the large number of outdoor manufactures already showing within the building’s temporary spaces.

“Our investment in our multiple trade show efforts within the past three years including the redesign of our permanent showroom in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, has been a part of our overall company goal to tap into new and diverse markets,” said Margaret Chang, C.O.O., Treasure Garden. “With the addition of The High Point Market, we are exposing our products to another growing segment of outdoor consumers.”

Giftware News' March Digital Gift, Gourmet & Decor Magazine is Now Available for Viewing